"Fiction is the reality": A qualitative study on digital game addiction and reality perception in young adults

Abstract

Digital game addiction is a serious issue for many individuals in different age groups. Although online games offer potential benefits for individuals, excessive engagement with digital games has negative consequences, including distortion of reality. The current study explored the experiences of people with game addiction to understand how digital games impact their perception of reality and how their game addiction affects their life. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 people, and the data were analyzed by thematic analysis using MAXQDA software. The results revealed two main themes: satisfaction of psychosocial needs (with the subthemes of feeling good and friendship) and narratives of games (with the subthemes of game design, game storyline, and game characters). The results can guide experts working on addiction and provide suggestions for preventive and protective intervention programs that should be prepared in this field.